The 369th day of Russia's large-scale invasion has begun. The Russian Federation continues to wage full-scale armed aggression against Ukraine. It is focusing its main efforts on conducting offensive actions in the Kupyansk, Lyman, Bakhmut, Avdiyivka and Shakhtarsk areas. Over the past day, Ukrainian troops repelled 81 occupiers' attacks in these areas, according to a morning report from the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
The enemy is trying to destroy the critical infrastructure of Ukraine, continues to launch strikes and shell civilian targets and residences with artillery. The adversary is constantly conducting aerial reconnaissance to coordinate the strikes.
During the day of 26 February, the Russians launched 5 missile and 13 air strikes, 2 of which employed Shahed-136 UAVs against civilian infrastructure. Both drones were shot down. At the same time, at night, from 11:00 p.m. until the morning, the Russian occupiers used 14 Shahed-136 UAVs on the territory of Ukraine. 11 of these drones were shot down by Ukrainian defenders. The enemy also launched more than 50 MLRS attacks, in particular at civilian infrastructure in Kherson and Donetsk Regions. Civilians were killed and wounded, civilian buildings were destroyed, and civilian infrastructure was damaged. The threat of Russian missile attacks across Ukraine remains high.
Volyn, Polissya, Siversk, and Slobozhansk areas: no significant changes. The adversary continues to maintain a military presence near the state border of Ukraine, but no signs of the formation of offensive groups were found. The enemy fired mortars and artillery at the vicinities of settlements of Khrinivka, Katerynivka (Chernihiv Region), Hirky, Atynske, Stukalivka, Hyrine, Pavlivka, Volfyne (Sumy Region), Veterynarne, Chervona Zorya, Strilecha, Starytsya, Vovchanski Khutory, Chernyaky, Loshakove, Krasne Pershe, Stroivka, Novomlynsk, Dvorichna, Zapadne, and Kupyansk (Kharkiv Region). The enemy used a UAV with a combat payload near Popivka (Sumy Region) and Chervona Zorya.
Kupyansk and Lyman areas: the adversary conducted unsuccessful offensives in the vicinities of Novoselivske, Ploshchanka, Bilohorivka, Spirne, and Berestove. Enemy artillery attacks were reported in more than 25 settlements. Among them are Lyman Pershyy, Kurylivka (Kharkiv Region), Novoselivske, Chervonopopivka, Dibrova, Serebryanske forestry, Bilohorivka, Spirne, Rozdolivka, and Fedorivka (Luhansk Region).
Bakhmut area: the enemy continues to attack the positions of Ukrainian troops, having conducted unsuccessful offensives near the settlements of Dubovo-Vasylivka, Yahidne, Bakhmut, Ivanivske, and Pivnichne (Donetsk Region). More than 25 settlements came under fire, including Dubovo-Vasylivka, Bakhmut, Ivanivske, Klishchiyivka, Kurdyumivka, Bila Hora, Ozaryanivka, Stupochky, Zalizne, and Pivdenne (Donetsk Region).
Avdiyvika and Shakhtarske areas: the enemy conducted unsuccessful offensives in the vicinities of settlements of Kamyanka, AvdiyivkaVodyane, Nevelske, Krasnohorivka, Marinka, and Vuhledar. The invaders fired artillery at the vicinities of settlements of Novobakhmutivka, Avdiyivka, Lastochkyne, Pervomayske, Nevelske, Krasnohorivka, Marinka, Novomykhaylivka, Vuhledar, and Vremivka (Donetsk Region).
Zaporizhzhya area: more than 30 settlements were shelled. Among them are Vremivka, Novopil (Donetsk Region), Olhivske, Malynivka, Chervone, Charivne, Bilohirya, Novodanylivka, Orikhiv, and Novoandriyivka (Zaporizhzhya Region).
Kherson area: Russian artillery fire affected, among others, Mykhaylivka, Kachkarivka, Lvove, Antonivka, Kherson, Komyshany, Blahovishchenske, Bilozerka, Dniprovske, and Berehove (Kherson Region). In total, the vicinities of 27 settlements were hit.
The adversary continues to suffer significant losses. Thus, up to 30 dead bodies and 65 wounded soldiers of the Russian occupational forces were delivered to medical institutions in the Bakhmutivka (Donetsk Region) area between 22 and 24 February.
Against the backdrop of the combat successes of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, mass desertions are being observed in the enemy forces. Due to this, Russian deputy commanders for political affairs are actively attempting to handle the situation and prevent desertions. They are trying to communicate to the occupiers the articles of the Criminal Code on punishment.
In particular, all the invaders are being threatened with the fact that Russian servicemen, who since 2017 have had the status of those having left their military unit unauthorized, are now sentenced to 4 to 12 years in prison.
Due to fears of de-occupation of Ukrainian territories, the Russian so-called “authorities” in the occupied Oleshky and Skadovsk (Kherson Region), are preparing to flee to the temporarily occupied Autonomous Republic of Crimea. In particular, since 21 February, local collaborators have been leaving for Bakhchysaray, Simferopol, and Kerch, and since 24 February, the occupiers have announced the so-called “evacuation” to all willing to leave.
The enemy used military trucks to transport the collaborators, allowing hand luggage only.
On 26 February, the aviation of the Ukrainian Air Force launched 4 air strikes on the concentrations of occupiers’ personnel and military equipment. At the same time, Ukrainian defenders destroyed 1 Russian SU-25 attack aircraft.
During the day of 26 February, missile and artillery units destroyed 1 ammunition depot and 1 satellite communications jamming station of the enemy.